Project “HESPER,” an art exhibit planned for the Wiscasset waterfront, won the approval of selectmen Tuesday. Town Planner Ben Averill determined the project did not need approval from the Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission.

Selectmen voted 4-0 to approve plans for the sculpture designed by Nick Dalton of Bradford Road. They also voted 3-1 (Selectman David Cherry dissenting) to allow Dalton to dimly illuminate his sculpture.  

In a Dec. 7 memo to selectmen, Averill recommended approving the proposed project. “There is no provision in the historical ordinance requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness for sculptures of public art installation,” wrote Averill. Furthermore, the ordinance doesn’t “mention, nor define, a temporary art installation,” the memo adds.

Averill said Dalton had fulfilled all the required steps in the permitting process. He noted the Waterfront Committee had recommended selectmen approve the project on Nov. 17.

Selectmen gave a tentative nod to Dalton on Dec. 6, but insisted he first get approval from the preservation commission. Dalton plans to erect a six-foot high by 24-foot long sculpture crafted from PVC pipe spelling out HESPER, the name of one of the two schooners once grounded on the waterfront. The Hesper and Luther Little, the other schooner, were removed by the town in 1998.

Dalton told selectmen the sculpture is privately funded through a “Kindling Fund” rant administered through SPACE Gallery of Portland. Two Wiscasset-based contractors, David Sawyer Plumbing and Heating and Dalton Insulation would help construct the model that includes a drinking fountain. It will be on display from May 1 until Oct. 1, 2017 and then taken down.

Capital reserve grows

The town office released the latest financial figures of investments managed by H.M. Payson of Portland. At the close of Nov. 30, the town had $10.13 million in capital reserve accounts with an additional $2.78 million in endowments. On Oct. 31, capital reserve accounts totaled $9.97 million with $2.73 million in endowments.

Town Manager Marian Anderson noted the auditor has still not completed auditing of the town’s books. The fiscal year ended June 30. Anderson said the auditor, RHR Smith of Buxton, has given no indication when it will be finished.

Selectmen will be interviewing auditing firms in January.

Police grant

Police Chief Jeffrey Lange announced the police department had received a $10,000 grant. The money will fund an OUI detail covering a four-hour officer shift until September 2017.

In his monthly report to selectmen, EMS Director Toby Martin noted the ambulance service would be conducting interviews of four advanced EMTs and two EMTs. The service is still looking for qualified paramedics. The Wiscasset Ambulance Service responded to 71 calls in November; 52 of those were in Wiscasset.

Todd Souza, parks and recreation director, presented selectmen with a proposed salary scale to compensate for state-mandated increases in the minimum wage. Souza said memberships fees will be increasing in July to compensate for the additional costs. He said he’ll be looking at consolidating some positions to control costs.

Anderson noted the town office was preparing a response to a recent article appearing in a Bangor newspaper. The response will emphasize the positive things taking place in Wiscasset, she said.

Broadband discussion upcoming

Selectmen are invited to attend a Jan. 19 workshop to discuss broadband service in Lincoln County. The workshop is free, hosted by Lincoln County Regional Planning at its office at 297 Bath Road in Wiscasset. The 4 to 6 p.m. session is open to the general public. 

Selectmen renewed junkyard permits for Blagden’s Garage, 842 Gardiner Road, Grover Auto & Tire, 271 Bath Road, Norm’s Used Cars, Inc., 744 Bath Road and Pro Body Works, 323 Bath Road.

Committee appointments

Selectmen re-appointed Raymond Soule and Al Cohen to the Planning Board, both for three-year terms, and Bryan Buck, Airport Committee, for three-years. Cohen was also appointed to the Ordinance review Committee for a three-year term.